Supplemental Nursing System™ (SNS™) Details

Product Description

What's Included

FAQ's

Instructions

The Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) is a feeding tube device to provide babies long-term supplemental feedings at the breast. When a baby is at breast over a period of days or weeks, a hormonal mechanism is triggered that causes milk to be produced.

The SNS can also be used for:

Inducing lactation

Keeping special-needs babies at the breast

Premature babies

Weak, ineffective or lazy nursers

Failure-to-thrive babies

Impaired babies

Low-milk supply mothers

Relactating mothers

A teaching tool to "fingerfed" babies who have had difficulty latching onto the breast

1 - 150mL SNS container

1 - Cover

1 - Neck cord

1 - Valve holder

1 - Attachment ring

1 - Tape

3 sizes of tubing with attached valves

Instructions

What can be fed through the SNS?

Breastmilk is the preferred nutrition for babies. Clinicians may recommend other fluids, fortifiers and/or medications to meet the baby's medical and nutritional needs.

What are the different sizes and colors of the SNS tubing?

The large tubing is 0.85mm in diameter and has a clear top.

The medium tubing is 0.75mm in diameter and has a white top.

The small tubing is 0.65mm in diameter and has a red top.

How do I clean the SNS tubing?

After each use:

1.Fill container full of warm soapy water and force water through tubing, teat and disc/membrane assembly by squeezing teat (making sure disc/membrane assembly is inside teat lid while cleaning).

2.Refill with clean water and again force water through tubing, teat and disc/membrane assembly.

3.Squeeze the empty teat a few times to remove water droplets from the tubings.

4.Completely disassemble and clean remaining parts with soapy water. Squeeze teat tubing assembly until the disc/membrane assembly falls out. Use fingernail of forefinger and thumb to remove membrane from disc.

5.Rinse well and drain dry on a clean towel.

6.Reassemble

How do I start the flow of the SNS?

The system can be primed by squeezing feed from the container into the tubing. Release only one side of the tubing at a time from the attachment ring when feeding the baby. Gently tickle the babies lip with the nipple and tube.

What is the proper positioning for the SNS?

The tubing should extend about a ¼" beyond the nipple. The tube should be in the center of the upper lip of the baby and not off to the sides. Reposition the baby if there is no flow. Reposition the tubing if there is no flow. Make sure the tubing is not crimped.

What is the SNS tubing made of?

The SNS tubing is made of Silicone.

How do I adjust the flow rate of the SNS?

The easiest way to change the flow is using the different sizes of tubing. The small tubing has a red valve, the medium has a white valve, and the large has a clear valve. The flow can also be adjusted by the height the system is worn. When the bottom of the SNS container is above the level of the nipple, the feed will flow more quickly. When the SNS is placed below the level of the nipple, the feed will flow slowly. The flow can be increased by gently squeezing the SNS container while the baby is feeding. Warming the feed can increase the flow.

Does the SNS include an air vent?

Yes, the vent is needed to allow air into the bottle when fluid is removed.

Can the SNS tubing be cleaned in the Micro-Steam bags?

The tubings from the SNS should not be cleaned in the Micro-Steam bags. It is recommended to clean tubes by flushing with hot, soapy water and rinse.

When do you use an SNS?

The SNS was developed to allow the baby that is not getting enough nourishment at the breast to receive extra feed or supplements while remaining at the breast. Adoptive mothers often use the product to help re-lactate or for the bonding experience the system can provide between mother and baby. The SNS should be used on the recommendation of a lactation consultant or physician.

Whether your product instruction manual is lost, ripped, or covered in spit–up — We always have it available for you here.